This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
10:00 a.m: France v. Denmark
10:00 a.m: Peru v. Australia
2:00 p.m: Croatia v. Iceland
2:00 p.m: Argentina v. Nigeria
FORWARDS
Sergio Aguero, ARG v. NGA ($11,500): I'm not sure I trust anyone on Argentina outside of the Chosen One, but they are favored by a decent amount for good reason. Aguero should make the starting XI and there should be more opportunities than last match against Croatia. If Aguero doesn't start, you can sub in Gonzalo Higuain ($9,500) or Paulo Dybala ($8,500). This is more of a GPP play because Aguero's low floor was seen last match when he had just five fantasy points. France only need a draw to finish atop their group, so I'm not sold on Antoine Griezmann ($12,000) or Kylian Mbappe ($10,500).
Ahmed Musa, NGA v. ARG ($8,500): Musa's price is a bit high after scoring a brace last match, but in a contest with the highest over/under, there'll be opportunities. Argentina will be susceptible to counterattacks and, as seen in previous matches, their back line isn't impenetrable. It's worth monitoring Nigeria's formation because they only need a point to advance and may go defensive, but as long as Musa is a forward, he'll get his chances.
Paolo Guerrero, PER v. AUS ($7,500): With so many high-end forwards, this is the high-upside, low-ownership play. Peru still haven't scored, but they've had chances and Guerrero has three of their eight shots on goal. Australia still have a shot to advance, though
MATCHES (EDT)
10:00 a.m: France v. Denmark
10:00 a.m: Peru v. Australia
2:00 p.m: Croatia v. Iceland
2:00 p.m: Argentina v. Nigeria
FORWARDS
Sergio Aguero, ARG v. NGA ($11,500): I'm not sure I trust anyone on Argentina outside of the Chosen One, but they are favored by a decent amount for good reason. Aguero should make the starting XI and there should be more opportunities than last match against Croatia. If Aguero doesn't start, you can sub in Gonzalo Higuain ($9,500) or Paulo Dybala ($8,500). This is more of a GPP play because Aguero's low floor was seen last match when he had just five fantasy points. France only need a draw to finish atop their group, so I'm not sold on Antoine Griezmann ($12,000) or Kylian Mbappe ($10,500).
Ahmed Musa, NGA v. ARG ($8,500): Musa's price is a bit high after scoring a brace last match, but in a contest with the highest over/under, there'll be opportunities. Argentina will be susceptible to counterattacks and, as seen in previous matches, their back line isn't impenetrable. It's worth monitoring Nigeria's formation because they only need a point to advance and may go defensive, but as long as Musa is a forward, he'll get his chances.
Paolo Guerrero, PER v. AUS ($7,500): With so many high-end forwards, this is the high-upside, low-ownership play. Peru still haven't scored, but they've had chances and Guerrero has three of their eight shots on goal. Australia still have a shot to advance, though that requires three points and a lot of goals. The hope is that Peru thrives on the counterattack, with Guerrero the most likely to benefit, as he's been the lone forward in the first two matches. His scoring odds are above Griezmann and Mario Mandzukic ($9,000) and even at the low price, may be worth a cash play. If you don't like either of those cheap forwards, Alfred Finnbogason ($8,500) is next in line.
MIDFIELDERS
Lionel Messi, ARG v. NGA ($12,000): After one bad match, Messi dropped $500 and that means he's close to a must-own in all lineups. Not only are Argentina in a must-win situation, but word on the street is that Messi is the one putting together the lineup. If that's the case, he'll likely build the squad around him and put him in the best position to succeed. While Argentina did nothing against Croatia, this is the type of match that Messi could have 10 shots with a few on goal. Even if he doesn't make the score sheet, his numbers will be close to the first match when he reached 26 fantasy points. And if he does score, well, he could easily push 50 fantasy points.
Gylfi Sigurdsson, ICE v. CRO ($8,500): The price on some of these midfielders is deceiving and Sigurdsson highlights that. He's averaging 17.5 fantasy points per match without a goal or assist, as he has four interceptions, three shots on goal and nine tackles. He should have a couple more shots on goal and chances created in this match with Iceland expected to play a little more forward than usual. Sigurdsson is on every set piece and is a great complement to Messi.
Aaron Mooy, AUS v. PER ($8,000): It's almost too easy putting together this midfield and maybe I shouldn't tell everyone to take this strategy. Mooy, similar to Sigurdsson, hasn't made the score sheet but is averaging 18 fantasy points per match from chances created (five), clearances (seven) and tackles (six). This is Australia's most favorable match and they are in need of a win, which means Mooy could have even more chances created from spot kicks, and if they score from open play, you know he'll be involved.
DEFENDERS
Domagoj Vida, CRO v. ICE ($4,000): It's a reasonable strategy to consider all of the center-backs against teams that are in need of three points. Vida (or whoever starts for Croatia) has gotten decent action in the first two matches (26.9 fantasy points), though his price doesn't show it. Iceland aren't a great attacking team and could lose the ball a lot in the final third. At this price, 10 fantasy points would be ideal for Vida, but he could be closer to the 16 he had in the first match.
Kenneth Omeruo, NGA v. ARG ($4,000): Omeruo won a lot of people money last match with 32.3 fantasy points, and even without the assist and chance created he still had a good day due to seven clearances and three interceptions. He should be just as busy in this match with Argentina likely to have their foot on the gas from the onset. Those defensive stats will be enough to make value, while his teammates are either more expensive or sub risks (Brian Idowu).
Nicolas Otamendi, ARG v. NGA ($6,500): If you have the money, Otamendi has the best goal upside of any of the defenders. Argentina should get plenty of corners and free kicks in attacking spots, and that's where Otamendi comes in after already taking four shots, including one on goal. He may not accrue as many defensive stats as some of the other guys, but the goal upside makes him a great GPP play.
GOALKEEPER
Danijel Subasic, CRO v. ICE ($5,500): There isn't one goalkeeper who stands out on the slate unless you want to go big on Hugo Lloris ($6,000), and even then, France aren't a huge favorite against Denmark. I was tempted to go with the Argentina goalie as the biggest favorite but couldn't will myself to write about Willy Caballero ($5,500). Croatia have little to play for, but that doesn't mean they'll let Iceland go off for three goals. Subasic is favored with a low over/under and Iceland aren't a great attacking team, so it wouldn't be surprising if they didn't score. To save money, Pedro Gallese ($4,000) isn't much of a difference and Australia could take more shots than Iceland.
